1. Basic Concepts
| Term | Full English Name | Full Chinese Name | Brief Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEU | Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit | 20-foot Standard Container | Container measurement unit, 1 TEU = 1 20GP, 40GP = 2 TEU |
| FEU | Forty-foot Equivalent Unit | 40-foot Standard Container | 2 TEU = 1 FEU |
| FCL | Full Container Load | Full Container Load | One container only carries cargo from one shipper |
| LCL | Less than Container Load | Less than Container Load | Multiple shippers share the same container |
| CY | Container Yard | Container Yard | Storage area for containers |
| CFS | Container Freight Station | Container Freight Station | Consolidation/deconsolidation location for LCL cargo |
| Door | Door to Door | Door to Door | End-to-end transport from shipper's factory to consignee's site |
2. Cost-Related Terms
| Term | Full Name | Chinese | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THC | Terminal Handling Charge | Terminal Handling Charge | Fee for loading/unloading containers at the terminal, varies by Chinese port ¥550-850/20GP |
| BAF | Bunker Adjustment Factor | Bunker Adjustment Factor | Surcharge fluctuating with oil prices, usually adjusted monthly |
| CAF | Currency Adjustment Factor | Currency Adjustment Factor | Surcharge imposed due to exchange rate fluctuations |
| PSS | Peak Season Surcharge | Peak Season Surcharge | Applied during the peak season from August to October each year |
| EBS | Emergency Bunker Surcharge | Emergency Bunker Surcharge | Additional surcharge when BAF is insufficient to cover rising fuel costs |
| ORC | Original Receiving Charge | Original Receiving Charge | Fee specific to South China (Shenzhen/Guangzhou) |
| DOC | Document Fee | Document Fee | Fee for processing documents like Bills of Lading, usually ¥300-500 per shipment |
| SEAL | Seal Fee | Seal Fee | Fee for container seals |
| DTHC | Destination THC | Destination THC | Terminal handling charges incurred at the destination port |
3. Document-Related Terms
| Term | Full Name | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| B/L | Bill of Lading | Ocean Bill of Lading — Title document, the most important shipping document |
| S/O | Shipping Order | Booking confirmation / Shipping order |
| MB/L | Master Bill of Lading | Carrier’s master Bill of Lading |
| HB/L | House Bill of Lading | Freight forwarder's Bill of Lading |
| AWB | Air Waybill | Air Waybill (not a title document) |
| SI | Shipping Instruction | Shipping instruction / Cargo details submission |
| P/I | Proforma Invoice | Proforma Invoice |
| C/I | Commercial Invoice | Commercial Invoice |
| P/L | Packing List | Packing List |
4. Operational Terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| ETD | Estimated Time of Departure |
| ETA | Estimated Time of Arrival |
| Cut-off time | Cut-off time for customs, documents, or laden container gate-in |
| Booking | Booking — Reserving space with the carrier/forwarder |
| Customs Clearance | Customs clearance — Declaring export/import to customs |
| VGM | Verified Gross Mass — Mandatory container weight verification per SOLAS |
| CY Open | Time when containers become available for pickup |
| CY Closing | Latest time for returning laden containers |
| Demurrage | Container demurrage — Fee for extended use of carrier's container |
| Detention | Detention — Fee for extended occupation of terminal yard space |
5. Trade-Related Terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Incoterms 2020 | Trade terms rules set by the ICC, latest version is 2020 |
| FOB | Free On Board — Seller is responsible up to loading onto the vessel |
| CIF | Cost, Insurance and Freight — Cost + insurance + freight |
| DDP | Delivered Duty Paid — Seller covers everything including duty |
| L/C | Letter of Credit (International trade settlement method) |
| T/T | Telegraphic Transfer (International trade settlement method) |
6. Shipping Route and Port Related
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Base Port | Main ports regularly called at by carriers, with stable freight rates |
| Non-Base Port | Ports accessible via transshipment from a base port |
| Feeder | Small vessels connecting base ports with smaller nearby ports |
| Transshipment Port | Port where containers are transferred between large and small vessels |
| Direct Vessel | Vessel sailing directly from origin to destination without transshipment |
7. Quick Reference by Scenario
Terms you’ll encounter when booking
Booking → S/O → SI → VGM → CY Closing → Cut-off
Terms you’ll encounter when checking costs
THC + BAF + CAF + PSS + DOC + SEAL → Ocean Freight
Terms you’ll encounter when handling documents
B/L → MB/L vs HB/L → Telex Release → Sea Waybill
Shipping cargo? Send product name/weight/volume/destination port to Bofeng Logistics for an ALL-IN quote — fixed price, no hidden fees. 20 years of international ocean freight experience.
Get a quote: 13075678958 | info@zhbfwl.com
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